DCF in Sydney

[incognito 0]

Hi Everyone -

My name is Jules and I am an American citizen on a spouse visa living in Oz with my Aussie husband. I've been here since June 2006. My husband used to have a green card, but it expired a year after we moved to Oz (we moved to Oz 2.5 years after getting married in CA) and now we want to move back to the States.

I've read through this forum here and there but the amount of info is a bit overwhelming to me at this point. I am hoping you can help me with a few questions to start off, or refer me to other posts on the site. We are going to file the I-130 in Sydney - we are both living here at the moment and I do not have employment lined up in the US yet. Ok, here are my questions:

1) How much do we have to have in US dollars since we don't have US income at this point? We have several people who will act as joint sponsors for us if we don't have enough $$. I think we will have at least $45K USD by the time we file.

2) Do we have to include affadavits (letters from friends/family) about the authenticity of our relationship when we file the I-130? I see on the checklist that we have to provide "evidence of a valid relationship" and I am not 100% sure what qualifies.

3) Do we have to provide the last 3 years of tax returns, and if so, is that with the paperwork for packet 3, or when we file the I-130?

4) We have a US bank account and US credit card and statements are mailed to my brother in law's address in the US. We also have my 401(k) still based in the States, along with our life insurance policies. Do you think that is enough to establish legal domicile? We will stay at my BIL's house when we first arrive anyhow.

Any other tips or suggestions would be much appreciated. We are so bummed out that we have to go through all of this again and wish my husband's green card had not expired. We will NOT move away from the US again until he has his citizenship!!!!!

THANKS EVERYONE!!!

[tobben15 0]

Hi Everyone -

My name is Jules and I am an American citizen on a spouse visa living in Oz with my Aussie husband. I've been here since June 2006. My husband used to have a green card, but it expired a year after we moved to Oz (we moved to Oz 2.5 years after getting married in CA) and now we want to move back to the States.

I've read through this forum here and there but the amount of info is a bit overwhelming to me at this point. I am hoping you can help me with a few questions to start off, or refer me to other posts on the site. We are going to file the I-130 in Sydney - we are both living here at the moment and I do not have employment lined up in the US yet. Ok, here are my questions:

1) How much do we have to have in US dollars since we don't have US income at this point? We have several people who will act as joint sponsors for us if we don't have enough $$. I think we will have at least $45K USD by the time we file.

2) Do we have to include affadavits (letters from friends/family) about the authenticity of our relationship when we file the I-130? I see on the checklist that we have to provide "evidence of a valid relationship" and I am not 100% sure what qualifies.

3) Do we have to provide the last 3 years of tax returns, and if so, is that with the paperwork for packet 3, or when we file the I-130?

4) We have a US bank account and US credit card and statements are mailed to my brother in law's address in the US. We also have my 401(k) still based in the States, along with our life insurance policies. Do you think that is enough to establish legal domicile? We will stay at my BIL's house when we first arrive anyhow.

Any other tips or suggestions would be much appreciated. We are so bummed out that we have to go through all of this again and wish my husband's green card had not expired. We will NOT move away from the US again until he has his citizenship!!!!!

THANKS EVERYONE!!!

First off this is just my experience and does by no means you will have the same experience.

1. As long as you have joint sponsors who make enough money above the poverty line, you don't have to worry about how much you make.

2. During my interview the only thing they looked at for validity of our relationship was our marriage certificate, but I did bring our leases and joint bank account statements and lots of pictures of us together, I didn't even need them.

3. There are no forms for the taxes, you have to fill in tax information in form I-864 and get tax transcripts and have W-2s. You can get tax transcripts from the US. I don't have the number with me but it's fairly easy you just have to call them and they will send them to you.

4. The documents that you have should be enough to establish domicile, I only had bank statements, investment accounts and my drivers license that seemed to satisfy them.

Your situation may be a little more difficult or maybe easier since your husband has already had the green card.

Good luck and hope everything turns out for the best.

[Dakine 26]

Since you have a joint sponsor you don't have to worry about the amount of money you have. Nice to show tho.

We have a US bank account and US credit card and statements are mailed to my brother in law's address in the US. We also have my 401(k) still based in the States, along with our life insurance policies. Do you think that is enough to establish legal domicile? We will stay at my BIL's house when we first arrive anyhow.

Establishing domicile is the biggy!

Your own mailing address, place you will be living, possible job oppurtunites etc.

You should also make a trip there and have proof of such.

[incognito 0]

Since you have a joint sponsor you don't have to worry about the amount of money you have. Nice to show tho.

We have a US bank account and US credit card and statements are mailed to my brother in law's address in the US. We also have my 401(k) still based in the States, along with our life insurance policies. Do you think that is enough to establish legal domicile? We will stay at my BIL's house when we first arrive anyhow.

Establishing domicile is the biggy!

Your own mailing address, place you will be living, possible job oppurtunites etc.

You should also make a trip there and have proof of such.

Why would I have to make a trip there and show proof? We visited in October but I don't see why that would make a difference?

Thanks!

[incognito 0]

Thanks!

2. During my interview the only thing they looked at for validity of our relationship was our marriage certificate, but I did bring our leases and joint bank account statements and lots of pictures of us together, I didn't even need them.

So do you mean at your final interview, or your initial I-130 interview? We have LOTS of supporting documents with both of our names, some recent photos, etc. We have also been married over 4 years now, so hopefully that helps.

3. There are no forms for the taxes, you have to fill in tax information in form I-864 and get tax transcripts and have W-2s. You can get tax transcripts from the US. I don't have the number with me but it's fairly easy you just have to call them and they will send them to you.

Do we provide the I-864 when we file the I-130? Or is the I-864 submitted in the 2nd lot of paperwork?

Your situation may be a little more difficult or maybe easier since your husband has already had the green card.

The consulate didn't seem to think it would matter either way, but it's a shame we have to do it all over again!!

THANKS FOR YOUR HELP! And, congrats on getting your visa!!

[Dakine 26]

Since you have a joint sponsor you don't have to worry about the amount of money you have. Nice to show tho.

We have a US bank account and US credit card and statements are mailed to my brother in law's address in the US. We also have my 401(k) still based in the States, along with our life insurance policies. Do you think that is enough to establish legal domicile? We will stay at my BIL's house when we first arrive anyhow.

Establishing domicile is the biggy!

Your own mailing address, place you will be living, possible job oppurtunites etc.

You should also make a trip there and have proof of such.

Why would I have to make a trip there and show proof? We visited in October but I don't see why that would make a difference?

Thanks!

Since you already have recently no need.

Just shows you are setting up household.

[incognito 0]

Since you already have recently no need.

Just shows you are setting up household.

Thanks. We have a lot of stuff still in the US so I think we will be fine. But good to know!

[tobben15 0]

Thanks!

2. During my interview the only thing they looked at for validity of our relationship was our marriage certificate, but I did bring our leases and joint bank account statements and lots of pictures of us together, I didn't even need them.

So do you mean at your final interview, or your initial I-130 interview? We have LOTS of supporting documents with both of our names, some recent photos, etc. We have also been married over 4 years now, so hopefully that helps.

Both they didn't need this information for either the initial or for THE interview, but like I said it's good to have it. You never know what they will ask for.

3. There are no forms for the taxes, you have to fill in tax information in form I-864 and get tax transcripts and have W-2s. You can get tax transcripts from the US. I don't have the number with me but it's fairly easy you just have to call them and they will send them to you.

Do we provide the I-864 when we file the I-130? Or is the I-864 submitted in the 2nd lot of paperwork?,

I-864 is in the 2nd lot.

Your situation may be a little more difficult or maybe easier since your husband has already had the green card.

The consulate didn't seem to think it would matter either way, but it's a shame we have to do it all over again!!

THANKS FOR YOUR HELP! And, congrats on getting your visa!!

Thanks we are both very excited.